Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

HATE baby paracetamol in the UK

91 replies

grey12 · 12/07/2021 09:47

DC3 was born in the UK and, let me tell you: Paracetamol here is terrible!!!!!

She has been unwell these days and I can't give her any paracetamol at all!! Spend 30 min giving her the medicine with her crying and screaming only for her to throw up everything afterwards EnvySad

We used to live in the middle east and DC1 and 2 used to have a more concentrated paracetamol in a dropper. It was soooooo much better!!!

I have spoken to Calpol and they just gave me some BS about giving the wrong dosage Hmm so... Calpol, what dosage of paracetamol did my baby get last night??!!! Should I give her another 5ml?! Or less?? What dosage is correct after they throw up? Should I spend another 30 min of crying and screaming?! Angry

I'm obviously pissed!! My baby is unwell and I can't do anything about it!!! Angry

OP posts:
Geamhradh · 12/07/2021 09:49

Why not speak to a doctor?

BertieBotts · 12/07/2021 09:54

Get your family/friends to send some over from your home country.

I have the opposite problem :o I hate the paracetamol that is available where I live, so I stock up on Calpol when we go home and get family/friends to post it to us when we run out if we haven't been home.

I believe you can buy suppository paracetamol for children in the UK if this would be easier? You have to ask for it at a pharmacy as it's not that popular.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 12/07/2021 09:56

Have you taken her to see a doctor?

Jasmine11 · 12/07/2021 10:01

Sorry but millions of parents in the UK manage to give calpol - if you want a different type of medicine than what is sold over the counter here, then ask your GP to prescribe something. Hope your daughter feels better soon!

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 12/07/2021 10:02

We used baby Tylenol in a dropper, such a small amount needed it was great.

Wakeupin2022 · 12/07/2021 10:06

If Calpol is not good for you then try Nurofen?

Or buy an own brand paracetamol and see how it goes?

It can be hard to get used to things when you are used to things elsewhere, but many UK parents manage to use it without issue and it does work well.

CommanderBurnham · 12/07/2021 10:22

How old is your child??

tintodeverano2 · 12/07/2021 10:26

You can get paracetamol suppositories from the pharmacy.

TomNooksToenail · 12/07/2021 10:31

You can give other paracetamol brands to a baby. You just need to either ask the pharmacy or the doctor to provide them. Chances are though, your baby will think that tastes rank too and chuck it all back up over you.

welshweasel · 12/07/2021 10:32

Both my kids love calpol! You can buy the 6+ and give a smaller amount.

Original poster
grey12 · 12/07/2021 11:11

She's 8 months.

I don't think the problem is the brand. The problem is the way it is given. She hates the syringe in her mouth. It is a very large amount of liquid to give! I give tiny bits by tiny bits, hence it taking half hour to give! And she squirms so much and gets so upset that she ends up throwing up.

(Not my home country, we were there temporarily) I did think of that but because of Covid, out friends aren't travelling Sad

It's illegal to mail medication and I definitely do not want to buy medication over Amazon Confused

I did speak to nurse when baby was born since I was having issues with middle child not wanting to take medicine. Advice is to give the medicine how I already do Envy and maybe mixing it in icecream for an older child Grin

Maybe I'll try the 6plus option, thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
grey12 · 12/07/2021 11:13

Maybe I'll speak to pharmacy, I think suppositories may be the only way.... it is upsetting seeing her so unwell and not being able to help. At least she doesn't have a fever

OP posts:
Original poster
grey12 · 12/07/2021 11:16

@Wakeupin2022 people manage it because they have to! What choice do they have?! @FedUpAtHomeTroels knows the deal Wink you have a small dropper and it's such a quick and easy process!!!

OP posts:
Cosybelles · 12/07/2021 11:16

I think you can get suppositories from the GP - so much more sensible and safe, you know how much they are getting, it is absorbed quicker, but the British can be funny about suppositories!

NeepNeepNeep · 12/07/2021 11:17

Don't give a baby 6+ Calpol. You don't need to put the syringe actually inside her mouth.

Twizbe · 12/07/2021 11:18

Pop it in a cup of milk. I've done that a few times for my eldest.

Mostly though they love the taste so will happily suck it off the syringe

Original poster
grey12 · 12/07/2021 11:21

@NeepNeepNeep

Don't give a baby 6+ Calpol. You don't need to put the syringe actually inside her mouth.
She doesn't suck it, definitely
OP posts:
TheSockMonster · 12/07/2021 11:21

I think they purposely make it such a large amount to reduce the risk of accidental overdose, especially since paracetamol in solution is rarely perfectly distributed even after a good shake.

However, as parent to a DC who absolutely hated (and still hates) liquid painkillers, I agree it would be so much easier to give one small concentred dose.

Explain your issue to a good pharmacist and they’ll be able to help.

I hope your DD feels better soon Flowers

NeepNeepNeep · 12/07/2021 11:23

They don't need to suck it. You can cradle them in one arm and gently squirt bit by bit towards inside of cheek.

QuestionableMouse · 12/07/2021 11:23

It's only 2.5ml for that age I think so not really that much. If you're stressed about it, she'll pick up in that. Can someone else give it to her?

Squirt it at her cheek, not the back of her mouth so she has chance to swallow.

twinmum86 · 12/07/2021 11:25

For she have a bottle? If so putting the syringe in a test and letting them suck as you squirt it worked for my two.

Or mix it with some purée if she'll eat that, that's how I got antibiotics in

boringcreation · 12/07/2021 11:25

Just give paralink if the syringe isn't working. You might need to break it in half for the correct dosage but it'll explain on the pack

NeepNeepNeep · 12/07/2021 11:27

I haven't done this but in the days before syringes, it was medicine off a spoon. You could measure with syringe and give off a spoon, let her lick it off.

Reallyreallyborednow · 12/07/2021 11:31

One of mine would never take paracetamol or any liquid painkiller. Even if I got any in it came back up immediately.

I had to rely on old fashioned nursing techniques. Light clothes and blankets, tepid baths, lots of liquids and ice chips. Lots of cuddles and TV.

That actually worked better than calpol. And they seemed to get better faster.

NameChange30 · 12/07/2021 11:37

I don't think you can get paracetamol suppositories OTC in the U.K., but you can get them on prescription, so ask the GP.

In France it's very normal to give suppositories to babies and young children. I found it weird at first but it's actually very easy and practical. No battle to get a baby to swallow the liquid stuff. No risk of them not getting the full dose because they spit half out. No risk of them throwing it all up (if an upset tummy). You just pop it in their bum, done. Plus the suppositories are small so easy to keep a few in the changing bag.